boyst Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 (edited) Article deleted. What did it say? Ever wanted a job so bad you could taste it? You know, the dream job that you think about day and night, hoping that it becomes a reality? Chiefs LBJovan Belcher has been in those shoes, too. The four-year starter at Maine went undrafted in the 2009 rookie class, an obstacle that could have derailed his dream, had it not been for one thing. “You just have to be hungry,” Belcher said. How hungry? (gratuitous nod towards Turkey day) “It had to be like taking my plate on Thanksgiving. You have to want it more than the next person. You have to just refuse to be denied.” Belcher’s undeniable path to the NFL includes time at West Babylon High School (NY), where the former linebacker, offensive tackle, nose guard and fullback also wrestled, which he says helps his game. That cornucopia of skills (second gratuitous nod towards Turkey day…Sorry, I couldn’t help it!) has certainly paid off. “Just being versatile. I think it helped build my whole (just) mental mentality, to never give up and just keep fighting and wrestling was a big part of it and it still is.” From the football fields and wrestling mats to the practice squad and special teams of the Chiefs, Belcher pursued his dream job like he now does ball carriers on Sundays, with relentless passion. And on May 8, 2009, the Jovan Belcher dream that began in West Babylon, NY became reality. Four years later, Belcher easily recalls and describes his first NFL play. “Fast. Very fast.” Not too fast for the 25-year old, who has started every game since the 2011 season and this year has recorded 38 tackles, five assists and one pass defensed. In the holiday spirit, Belcher gave thanks to those who helped make his dream of playing in the NFL come true. “First and foremost, God. Family and friends just keeping me focused, coaches and just everyone.” Sure to test that hunger and versatility will be the Denver Broncos, who are in town on Sunday for a noon kickoff. However, Belcher may satiate that appetite as he did the last time he faced off against these divisional foes at Arrowhead, totaling a career high 11 tackles, eight of them solo. Firefox history... Mel Kiper Jr. @MelKiperESPNLatest mock draft update is now online! Includes my thoughts on how to fill the latest hole in the Chiefs defense. I love Twitter. How do these "intellectuals" or "professionals" not think first and then take themselves seriously??! Edited December 1, 2012 by jboyst62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Some of the content from the Chiefs website is reported in this article as well. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/jovan-belcher-undrafted-free-agent-turned-starter-nfl-maine-black-bears-120112/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Some of the content from the Chiefs website is reported in this article as well. http://msn.foxsports...k-bears-120112/ I don't know who Trey Songz is but now I want to go to one of his concerts to see what is so special about them...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 The Mayor of KC is "Sly James"?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Firefox history... I love Twitter. How do these "intellectuals" or "professionals" not think first and then take themselves seriously??! 90% of the time - some social media intern writing the tweet. That said - Rick Reilly's tweet about chiefs fans needing suicide prevention hot lines a couple weeks ago, or EA giving jovan the trait "trigger happy" in madden may change verbiage out there in sports entertainment for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 How does the NFL expect the Chiefs to play Sunday? PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 (edited) Amazingly, Kasadra Perkins, was from here in Austin, originally. From what I gather, they are saying that her cousin is married to Jamal Charles. and it was through them that she met Belcher. She graduated from Anderson High School in 2009...just a kid...really sad. Edited December 2, 2012 by Buftex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 How does the NFL expect the Chiefs to play Sunday? PTR I have been thinking that same thing all day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 (edited) I have been thinking that same thing all day. Is there anything resembling a precedent for this in any major (North American or otherwise) pro sport? I can't think of one off the top of my head. I'm gonna guess that the at-large damages for the postponement of an NFL game is enormous. Possibly into the hundreds of millions because of the rearrangement of the schedule. Edited December 2, 2012 by San Jose Bills Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 How does the NFL expect the Chiefs to play Sunday? PTR The first few articles I saw this Saturday morning made it sound like the Chiefs were okay with playing. Now I'm seeing qoutes, etc, that make it sound like the NFL pressured them to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truth on hold Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Well there's no question that Belcher somehow lost all perspective on life. What a horrible predicament to leave that 3 month old baby in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Jersey Bills Fan Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 (edited) Reminds me of the long snapper the Bills used to have...Dorenbos? Although not as young he experienced a similar tragedy. Tremendously sad...maybr dorenbos's story offers a sliver of hope for this child Edited December 2, 2012 by South Jersey Bills Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 The first few articles I saw this Saturday morning made it sound like the Chiefs were okay with playing. Now I'm seeing qoutes, etc, that make it sound like the NFL pressured them to play. The Chiefs released a statement saying they informed the league that they were going to play. How long before the CTE gangs make a claim for this kid's brain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corp000085 Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 The Chiefs released a statement saying they informed the league that they were going to play. How long before the CTE gangs make a claim for this kid's brain? Not long. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/morrissey/16746215-452/morrissey-jovan-belcher-tragedy-should-bring-renewed-scrutiny-to-nfl.html Is it a stretch to simply state that a guy went nuts for whatever reason and killed his family and self? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 The Panters @ Chiefs game will be broadcast here, I may just tune in to watch a bit of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 (edited) Is there anything resembling a precedent for this in any major (North American or otherwise) pro sport? I can't think of one off the top of my head. I'm gonna guess that the at-large damages for the postponement of an NFL game is enormous. Possibly into the hundreds of millions because of the rearrangement of the schedule. Closest in recent history is sean taylor being killed but that was a Tuesday I believe (early in the week) Darryl Kyle of the cardinals(?) baseball team was found dead in his hotel room and they played a couple hours later. Baseballs much easier to reschedule too. Edit: I'm wrong! They cancelled that day. Neither had the same dynamic of a murder suicide in front of team officials though. Neither was a teammate killing another teammates wife's family member. I imagine its been especially tough in the Charles house. I'd guess the team will come out fired up and looking to get away from thinking about all this. No reporters, no friends/family asking them about it. No getting trapped in the silence of being alone and getting caught up in their own heads all day. For a lot of these guys, getting absorbed into the game might be the release they will be looking for. It'll be a bit tougher as he was a starter and you'll inevitably have times where you think about him not being there but.... I'm not at all surprised they are playing today. Edited December 2, 2012 by NoSaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 This story just breaks my heart on so many levels. Something went horribly wrong, 2 people are dead, coaches and GMs watched a player kill themselves. Teammates wondering what they could have done and a 3 month old girl has no parents. Just so terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronc24 Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 This story just breaks my heart on so many levels. Something went horribly wrong, 2 people are dead, coaches and GMs watched a player kill themselves. Teammates wondering what they could have done and a 3 month old girl has no parents. Just so terrible. Agree 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Closest in recent history is sean taylor being killed but that was a Tuesday I believe (early in the week) Darryl Kyle of the cardinals(?) baseball team was found dead in his hotel room and they played a couple hours later. Baseballs much easier to reschedule too. Actually, they didn't play. I remember watching it - I think it was the Saturday game of the week - and Joe Girardi was the Cubs catcher and came out to announce the game was postponed and the fans booed. IIRC, he kept saying that he can't say the reason, but when they get home they'll understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Actually, they didn't play. I remember watching it - I think it was the Saturday game of the week - and Joe Girardi was the Cubs catcher and came out to announce the game was postponed and the fans booed. IIRC, he kept saying that he can't say the reason, but when they get home they'll understand. That's right.... I totally forgot, and someone had incorrectly jogged my memory the other way. How soon after did they play? Had to be pretty soon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts